I have been on record in the past saying that Deano gets on with his job mostly unnoticed, his work off the ball is as good as when he is on it, but doesn't get seen by the majority who tend to follow the ball and only see the finishing rather than the mundane. You only notice, when he isn't there and you think "someone should have stopped that move", it turns out that would been Deano had he been playing!
Deano is the most underrated Saints player by a mile. A true team player, runs all game for the team, a great leader, decent passer, good in the challenge.. puts in a bigger shift than anyone. Top man.
Always rated Hammond - he is a destroyer in the "Mascherano" mode, main job is to win possession back then give the ball to our creators, every team needs one even Barca Gave an object lesson yesterday to any young player in how to play that role in conditions condusive to sliding challenges - and winning every one fairly
I love Deano, and have no fears about having him in our squad, I just think unfortunately for him, Cork and Schneiderlin are brilliant and unfortunately better. Deano is a great guy to have at the club though, his level of passion is ridiculous.
Referred earlier to Deano's goal, but it reminded me of the start of the season. Watching first Championship game on TV with a little trepidation...after all we didn't know what to expect...and it was Leeds. His goal went in and his smile lit up the stadium and I thought we're going to be alright. Then we kept winning and it felt weird like we were in a dream. I was able to say to my Pompey-supporting manager who had warned me it would be harder in the Championship, 'This Championship lark's good, isn't it?' Now 4 games and 6 points from glory. That win at SMS against West Ham has gained importance now, hasn't it?
I'm quite surprised at all the pro-Deano posts, if I'm honest. Hammond has been one of my favourite players since he came to the club because he never put in a bad performance and you could always depend upon him. It's been his job to be solid, dependable and to win the ball, and we've needed him to be there so many times. However, I've always thought that I was in the minority in my appreciation for Deano, along with just a few others, and that Hammond was perhaps only third or fourth on the list for the Guly, Puncheon, Harding moaners. I'm so glad I'm wrong about those people. I wonder if they'd care to admit they're wrong about the players they whinge about..?
Although he may not be the most technically gifted CM we have, he's a bloody good captain. He's incredibly underrated and I think he does a heck of a lot more on the pitch than a lot of people think he does. Certainly improved. And oh, his goal against Leeds
